IGNOU to celebrate World Mental Health Day

The World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10th October. Various countries across the globe celebrate World Mental Health Day through several commemorative activities and events. WHO, this year has declared the theme for the Mental Health Day as “Living with Schizophrenia”.

The Discipline of Psychology, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has been organizing various activities on the occasion of World Mental health Day since last three years.

This year, the Discipline of Psychology has planned a series of Talks to observe the World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2014. Two Talks were organized on 29.9.14 and 1.10.14. Dr. Pulkit Sharma, Clinical Psychologist, New Delhi spoke about “Mindfulness: The Power of Our Mind” on 29.9.14. He emphasized the need and benefit of being mindful of the present moment. He also discussed about cultivating mindfulness in ourselves.

Dr. Avdesh Sharma, Psychiatrist, New Delhi deliberated on “Mental Health in the Elderly: Issues and Concerns” on 1.10.14. October 1st, being the International Day of the Elderly, mental health issues of the elderly population is also an important concern in the present day society. He spoke about the inevitability of ageing and emphasized that ageing healthy is a choice that is in our hands. He spoke about various ways in which we can make the elderly feel included and valued in the society.

As part of this occasion, the Discipline also conducted a Workshop on “Understanding and Managing Stress” on 9.10.14 and a One-day Seminar on “Issues related to Mental Health” on 10.10.14. The workshop deliberated upon the nature and manifestations of stress and focused on the interventional and prevention strategies to manage stress. It was attended by IGNOU faculty, staff, and research scholars and students from other institutions as well.

The Seminar on 10.10.14 includes three lectures by eminent specialists in the field of mental health. Keeping in line with the theme of this year’s Mental Health Day, Dr. Achal Bhagat, psychiatrist will speak about “Living with Schizophrenia”. Dr. Pearl Drego, psychotherapist, will discuss on the issue of human relationship and strengthening it to have peace, balance and harmony in our relationships. Dr. S.P.K. Jena, clinical psychologist will talk about the mental health issues in our children.

The talks, workshop and the seminar will focus on various aspects of mental health, thereby creating awareness and understanding of mental health related issues.